Okay, so I admit that blogging has been on the back-burner for a while!!!! Sorry to all of my friends who "follow" me since I've given you nothing to follow! :)

Fall is such a great time of year and we are always busy in the fall. It seems that there are just never enough hours in the day to update all the things we do---calendars, facebook, blogs--in addition to keeping up with daily activities. So, the blog has been left alone in the cold!

One thing I really want to work on is getting better at putting my feelings & thoughts into written words. That's why I started this blog to begin with, but I let time just get away from me. I know fall is a time where we should slow down and enjoy the time and that's exactly what I want to do.

All I can say is that I will try to be better about writing down some things and getting some thoughts put on paper. I would LOVE to write a book, but I'm not an eloquent writer and use rather simple words instead of elaborate ones, but it's something I would like to get better at and you can't get better at anything unless you practice! ;)

Hope to see you again soon with some more updates and maybe some good "short stories". Some of the things we've had go on in our house over the years would make for some great "laugh 'till you cry" stories. Any of you who have known us a long time would agree! ;)

Thanks for reading and I'll be back in touch soon!
Rebecca

Purple Mountain Majesties

I have been on vacation with one of my best friends for the last few days. She lives in Colorado Springs, CO and it was a trip that's been planned for a while. I have been in awe at God's creations! I want to share some of my favorite pictures of the Rocky Mountains and other places of interest. I will blog more about my visit as soon as I get back home, but if you are a friend on Facebook...check them out.

Weekly Adventures

Okay....so I'm slacking on my blog writing again. :) It's been a fun and eventful summer so far, but I've not had a lot of time to blog. Sorry to those of you who follow me!

I am just going to write today about the fun things that have gone on this week. If you get bored, feel free to stop reading anytime. ;)

Saturday we went to Kevin & Brandi's cook-out. I took TONS of pictures and we had a great time. If you want to see the pics, click on the following link http://photo1.walgreens.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=247913003/a=9377000_9377000/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=walgreens/

Sunday we went to church and visited a new Sunday School class....we've really been slacking in this area, so we are trying to find the right fit for us. Charley had been invited to a friend's house for a party, so he rode home with him. Hunter had been invited to Destiny's house (the girlfriend), so we went to eat lunch then took him there. Brian & I went to Bass Pro & Wal-Mart (I know...how exciting!) and then told Hunter we were coming to get him. Well, he didn't want to leave yet, so we decided to go to the Wright's to pick up Charley. I had brought my camera and had decided that I would love to get some pics of these teenage boys riding the jet ski or boat.

We went in and they had just started eating supper, so we joined in for grilled hot dogs, potato salad, corn on the cob, baked beans & fresh watermelon! Then we were heading outside and Brian said how it had been a long time since he'd been on a jet ski. So, Ron offered him some trunks and a t-shirt and he went out and had LOTS of fun (and now wants one!). ;) I went out on the boat with Ron & the boys to take pics of them knee-boarding! It was so much fun and I got some great pics there too. If you want to see them, click this link http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025183&id=1099266288&l=007cea7888

Monday I went to work (like every week), but when I got home Brian had already started cutting the hole in the wall. We've been going to do this since we moved in almost a year ago! There is a big door that leads from the front room (which we use as a dining room) into the kitchen, but coming from the den you can't see into that room. It makes that area feel very closed off. So, he'd done it.....the chair rail and baseboards were off and one side of the sheetrock was cut to the studs. I was kind of nervous about it, but I couldn't wait to see what it looked like when you could see through it! Here are some pics of the beginning stages....I will put up more later! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025266&id=1099266288&l=7fea8666f9

It was so great! Brian let me walk through the doorway first--such a gentleman! We worked until almost midnight last night and almost have 1 side completely sheetrocked. Hopefully we'll get the other side done by tonight or tomorrow and I can paint it before I leave on Friday.

Brian & the boys are at the airplane museum in Sevierville today. They are giving rides in a B-17 today and if you know Charley at all, you know airplanes are his "thing". I can't wait to see pics. I sent Brian off with my camera, so I hope I get some good ones!

Hunter goes back to have his wrist checked and either get a short cast or brace on Friday. He's very excited! I'll let you know how that goes too. Just pray we're good. He's done great with the cast and is very inventive with ways to do things with that hand/arm. ;)

Pray for my family also....they will probably eat LOTS of fast food, sandwiches & ramen noodles this weekend. I am leaving on Friday around 4 to go to Atlanta with 3 of my friends--Sabrina, Sandi & Bev. We're going to see a Braves game on Sat night and going to eat at the Cheesecake Factory! I've never been to CF, so I'm very excited about that.

Well, that's the last week in a blast! If you've quit reading by now, I don't blame you. It's our life and we love it, but not sure other people find it interesting. ;)

More to come......

Snap, Crackle, Pop

Okay, so I've been just a bit preoccupied to blog for a little while. Last Thursday, while Hunter was playing a great game (he was 3 for 3 with one being a double, had 4 RBI's and had scored all 3 times on base) he had a play at the plate that turned that great game into something else.

If you closely look at the pictures below you will see how it happened. I was taking pictures as usual--trying to keep my mouth closed, remember? :) So, I got it ALL on digital pictures.

A play was made at 2nd base and that boy got back safely. The 2nd baseman then threw the ball to Hunter at home plate because the boy on 3rd decided he might be able to make it home. You must understand--we were winning the game 20-2 at the time. Although the boy was running home and Hunter clearly had him out and he couldn't get out of the tag, he did probably what most boys who watch baseball on tv would do if they didn't know better.


Hunter's got the ball and is getting ready to make his play.

The ball has kind of bobbled, but he still has control, so he is actually transferring the ball to his open hand (left).


Hunter is blocking the plate (like he should since he has the ball) and is getting ready to apply the tag.

The tag is applied, but the boy doesn't slow down or stop--he keeps going. This is when the break occurs. It actually bent Hunter's wrist backwards. OUCH!

Hunter is falling, but still hangs on to that ball.

Still got the ball, but now realizes something is terribly wrong.

At this point I don't know it's not good. I just know he's been knocked down.

Now I realize that something is wrong, and unfortunately I was right. Hunter's wrist is broken, but he has the great Dr. C taking care of him! Poor Ron has treated everyone in my family....I think we're on the "frequent flyer" list! Ha! :) Obviously this is the point where I stopped taking pictures!

As far as baseball, I think we're definitely done for the year. That is sad...Hunter was having a great year! His batting had come on as well as his catching ability. He has grown and learned over the last year. What we have to concentrate on is getting better, getting stronger and getting back to the game. He still goes to every game and hypes up the team from the dugout! He's very tough! Mom on the other hand just gets sad when she's watching the team play. I gotta get my game face on! :)

I'll update more as we find out more. We go back on Friday and the following Friday. Hopefully we get good news!

Winning isn't everything, but it's fun!

We teach our children that winning isn't the most important thing in any facet of life. We want them to succeed (or to win), but sometimes it just doesn't happen that way. Sports are hard because the focus is on winning--and secretly, you want to win too. Don't lie! It's true. We all have a very selfish nature to want to win.

We've been on those ball teams that we lost almost every game in a season. Seriously, one year we only won 1 game!!!! How sad. Well, this year has not started out great. It's been a far cry from last year where we only lost 1 game and we won the City Championship. That said...we have some talented players on our team, they just don't know it yet. They've got to learn to work together and build each other up.

They're getting lots better. Last night was proof of that. We had a tight game which we won 8-6. I love a game that just goes back and forth--except that part deep down inside me that wants to win. ;) That's part of the reason I take pictures because it's easier to keep my mouth closed if my camera is in front of it!!! Our boys did great and kept working hard to win the ballgame. We had two very closely matched teams playing and it was a great game to watch.

To see my son doing an awesome job his first year in this league and see how much better he is as a ballplayer is great! Is he the "best"? No, not compared to the entire league. Does he have the heart and determination and use his skills as a ballplayer? Absolutely, so that makes him the best in my book! Last night--a double, 2 singles, 3 RBI's and scored all 3 times (thanks to someone else's bat!)

Baseball is great!

Hunter hitting the ball (1 of 2 hits for the night)!

Beating out the throw to 1st--That's an accomplishment considering Andy B. is playing first base.

Stealing 2nd base

Hunter's first two games have not been the best for the team. We've lost them both, but I do see improvement. Hopefully the team will "gel" and come together! Here are some much requested pictures of Hunter. I look forward to getting my zoom lens in order to get some better ones. For now, I just settle on cropping them in my photo editing software.

Here's Hunter! He's #17 this year. Go Dodgers!

More to come......

Busy, multi-tasker or Adult ADHD--you be the judge

Why can I never seem to finish anything? Sometimes I think it's just because I'm "too busy". In my defense, I DO have a lot of things on my plate (but who else doesn't). Yes, I work 40 hours a week outside the home, as many as I can inside my home, spend time at many sporting events with my kids, spend as much time with my family as I can, volunteer in many facets, etc. Does that mean that I shouldn't finish things? Absolutely not!



I start of great--whether it comes to cleaning, diets, or whatever. Then, before you know it.........crash & burn! I get distracted, it's time to leave, I get discouraged. Maybe that's why I love to scrapbook. Even when you finish one, you can still add to it. Or even if you can't or don't want to, there's always more pictures to scrap.



Do you think it might be a touch of adult ADHD? I'm not making fun--I'm serious! If you call me, I will listen and once I drop off the conversation....just yell and get me back! I get engrossed in things some times and just don't pay attention. I used to think of myself as a great multi-tasker, but now I feel like I can listen to several conversations at once, but I can't process them. I get bits and pieces from each. Or, it could be that I'm just getting older. Well, that's not my favorite choice, but probably the right one.

Well, I better go....lots more things to half do today, and lots I HAVE to complete! ;)

Anyone else feel the same way?

Take me out to the ballgame....

I'm so excited about Hunter's first baseball game tonight! We finally get to play. With all this rain we've had, plus being in the upper league this year, it's been a slow start. I look forward to adding some pictures of the ballfield and Hunter soon. It is a beautiful day!

See ya soon!
Rebecca

Hunter's new device

I thought if you read my last blog that you might be a little confused. I asked Hunter today if he minded if I took some pics of him while he changed his pump and glucose sensor. So, here is a step by step view of what he does and what these devices look like. It's really interesting if you've never seen anyone with Type 1. :)

Hunter's tools.

Regular blood glucose monitor, insulin pump w/tubing and reservoir to hold insulin, quickserter to help insert the pump site, insulin, sensor site, softserter to help insert the sensor site and sensor w/charger to keep the battery charged in the sensor.

Putting insulin into the reservoir.

"Priming" the pump--making sure the insulin is through the tubing.

The sensor....this monitors his blood sugar (with the attached half moon electronic part).

Here are both his sites. The one on the left is his pump site that delivers insulin. The one on the right is his sensor that remotes his blood sugar to his pump.

That's a little about what he does. We are so blessed for this technology to be possible! We thank God each day that He gives the doctors and other medical professionals the knowledge to create things like this that make lives better!

A new chapter

I know most of you who read my blog know us on a personal basis. If you don't, I'll give you just a little background and that will help you understand why today was so special to me.

Our youngest son, Hunter, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes on January 29th, 2004 at the age of 8. He was in 3rd grade. Hunter has never let this slow him down and we have never let him use this as an excuse or a crutch. If you want to know more about his story, just ask. I don't want to bore you with all the details. Seriously if you know someone dealing with this, please feel free to have them contact me. Now, on to how special today was!

Today, April 9th, is the day that Hunter got to use his Real Time Glucose Monitoring System. You're saying "Woo-hoo. What does that mean?" :) Well, this system continuously reads his blood glucose (sugar) and sends that information to his insulin pump. This will help him keep a better management on his sugar levels and also allow him to have less finger sticks each day.

Hunter's daily routine right after being diagnosed was learning how to count carbs, checking his sugar around 10-13 times per day and using needles for insulin injections 4 times per day. Then we moved to the insulin pump after that first year. He went down to around 6-8 finger sticks a day and changing a pump site every 3 days. Now, going through the teenage years, we're still using the insulin pump, but are back to checking around 10-15 times per day! The pump has been great and was about as advanced as technology had gotten.

Well, having a child with any disease or disability has its challenges. We have prayed for a cure to Diabetes and believe it can happen during Hunter's lifetime. This is why we are active in our local walks for Diabetes. When we learned the Real Time Glucose Monitor (from now on I will abbreviate it as RTGM) had been approved, we were excited. Although it is still not an easily accesible item, it can be approved by insurance.

What the RTGM does is check Hunter's sugar and infrared that information to his insulin pump every 5 minutes. This will give him better control, better knowledge of highs and lows coming on and less finger sticks. It doesn't take the place of finger sticks (but that technology will definitely be here in his lifetime), but it will aleviate his need for so many during the course of a day.

So, today was a great day! Hunter learned how to use the RTGM and we also got a USB port that will upload all his information to a website where we (and most importantly his Endocrinologist) can review the data and find patterns and problems. We hope this will be a great asset to him and really help him live to his fullest by helping lower his risks for long term health problems.

We thank God each day for our children's health and for the people who work behind the scenes to use their talents to make this technology. :)

Time marches on

This is really for all you mothers out there. You dads can read too, but you may not "feel" what I do. :) Do you remember when you child was born? Does it matter how long ago that was? They could have been born 6 months ago or 30 years ago...you STILL remember it. You remember everything that happened, how they grew up, the cute things they said, how sweet they were (and sometimes how mischevious), etc.

For my oldest, Chris, I don't remember his birth because I'm not his birth mother. I am by today's terms his "step-mother", but I am his mom. I call him my bonus child. He came as a bonus when I married his dad! He has been "mine" since he was 2 and I wouldn't trade him for anything. I tell him he's my "favorite child I never had". :)

This past Saturday I had the privilege of taking our oldest to have his senior pictures made. If you know anything about me, you know I absolutely love pictures. I have them hanging/sitting all over my house and enjoy putting them in scrapbooks. I love the memories they bring back. I love being able, if only for just a moment, to go "back in time" and remember someone or something as it used to be.

Looking at these photos--and trying to pick out the best ones--brings back a lot of memories. It is amazing how fast he has grown from this cute little 2 year old who could carry on an adult conversation to a very handsome young man. Have there been bumps along the way? Sure! Everyone has those. But for a short moment, I can look at these pictures and stop time. I can keep him from growing up, but then imagine him with a family. I can look back in time to when he was young, but then see him as he is now. I can remember the difficult times, but also remember the good ones! You know what I mean!

The other sad part is knowing I have to do this 2 more times! Well, not really sad....I am so excited to see my boys growing into men! It has been a blessing to watch them change and learn. It will be difficult, each in its own way, but I'm excited about it too.

Today and every day thank God for your children! They are precious--even if they aren't little anymore. God cares about them as much now as He ever did. Mine need lots more prayer now they're older. They will have to fly from the nest soon. This is both exciting and troubling, but VERY necessary. If the mama bird didn't give those baby birds a push, they would never fly. So, give them what they need and give them back to God. He has only loaned them to us for a short time.

Dislaimer: To anyone who reads this who has lost a child by miscarriage or death, I do not wish to make you sad. God does only "loan" us our children. If you have pictures, remember them with those. If you don't, use the pictures He has given you in your mind. Either way, thank Him everyday for whatever time you had them.

Hearts

I LOVE having a digital camera! Remember the "good ole' days" when we had slides, disc cameras, 110, polaroids, 35 mm? We bought film for a few pics and waited forever to develop it because it was expensive to do so.

Now, with the age of digital we can take as many pictures as our memory cards will hold. If they are full, we burn them to disks or upload them to a picture site and start over. Sometimes we even go buy a new memory card to hold all of them.






Today, as I was cleaning off and burning to CDs my collection of pictures, I felt a little sad. I always get nervous that something will happen to my beloved pictures and I would be upset if that happened.....although it never does. :)



Scrapbooking and taking pictures are two of my favorite things to do. I love pictures and everything about them. I love the stories they tell and the memories they bring back. They are so full of color and even if they're black and white they are still vibrant in their own way!






Enjoy your pictures today and clear off your memory cards so you can record more memories. :)

Grilling

Do you know anything better to do on a warm afternoon?

Isn't grilling one of the best smells? A favorite thing that the warm weather brings is the smell of food wafting through the air with the gentle breeze.

I particularly like the fact that my husband is a much better griller than I am. Am I afraid to admit that? Absolutely not! I know I can cook. I also know that it's smart to not get between a man and his grill. It's a beautiful thing! :)

Yummy! Can you smell the burgers? Hershey can!

He is patiently waiting on a bite! He loves it when Brian grills. :)

The tools of the trade! UH OH--One's missing! Wonder where that could be?

Well, at least we got to eat good--it was great! I'm already longing for the next time.

Bursting Forth

Okay, so I really love flowers. I love the way they are hiding below the surface during a long, cold winter. I love how at the first sign of warmth, they start creeping out...trying to catch a peek to see if it's safe yet. Then the frost hits again and they just curl up, hoping to savor some warmth they caught the day before. Before you know it you see all these green things growing seemingly from every direction. Trees are budding, grass is greening, flowers are sprouting. You wake up one morning only to find spurts of color. And knowing it won't be the last...there's more to come. There will soon be colors everywhere--vibrant, warm, radiant colors. It will bring a smile to your face to pull in your driveway each day just to see it!

I feel like that's how we are with God. Before we become a Christian, we are kind of "hiding out". Looking around to see what everyone else is doing and wondering if it's safe for us to do it too. Then, we accept Christ, but we are still observing everyone else. Trying to decide how we should act or what we should feel. Then we are surrounded by others who believe the same as we do. They become our friends and family in the faith. We feel strong when we are with them, but sometimes still look to them for approval. Eventually, we burst forth--in our own way. We don't wait on the rest of them to "catch up". We aren't trying to please them anymore--we are trying to please the ONE that matters. We know there is more in store.....He IS coming back.

"In Christ Alone"Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart TownendCopyright © 2001

In Christ alone my hope is found;He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My comforter, my all in all—Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness,Scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross as Jesus died,The wrath of God was satisfied;

For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,Light of the world by darkness slain;

Then bursting forth in glorious day,Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory,Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;

For I am His and He is mine—Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—This is the pow'r of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath,Jesus commands my destiny.

No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home—Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

This song is what I think of when I'm working in this flower bed. I do not have a green thumb and most of my life have killed every plant I've owned. I am happy to say that my flower bed is thriving right now--but not really because of me. I have the plants that won't easily die...the plant and neglect, God will do the rest. :) That's my kind of flower bed!

May God be working on your heart--that you will be "bursting forth in glorious day" today!

Changing Seasons

This is my beautiful, semi-green flower bed. Things are popping up everywhere! :)

Not only are we dealing with the changing from Winter to Spring--which I love!!!!
We are dealing with the changing from Little League baseball to Junior League baseball--which I don't love! :) Well, let me put it this way--I do like it because it means my youngest is growing up and in 2 more seasons will be playing high school baseball. (We miss that a lot this year!) But, it means we must leave a familiar team, familiar coaches, players and parents to a new group. Not that they won't be just as familiar by the end of 2 years, but it's hard all the same.

Saturday--a beautiful Spring day, was the day for Hunter to tryout. Now tryouts for baseball aren't something extremely gruelling or physically hard and everyone makes a team. The boys have to hit 3 balls (1 bunt, 1 hit and one hit & run to 3rd base) and field 3 ground balls from the short stop position. Then, these coaches take notes and go "draft" these boys. Poor coaches really don't get to see a lot of the ability of the players, but just a snapshot. Then, they have to decide who they want as their 1st, 2nd, etc. Well, that is hoping that no one who gets to choose before them chooses their "favorites". :)

It is definitely a mentally tough day, however. As a player you want to do your best and hopefully show only your best skills. As a parent, you want your son to get picked on a great team with a great coach. Not only for the ability to win, because to me that's secondary, but the ability to learn more about the game. Junior League is it----it's right before High School. This is where the buck stops. Once you go to High School a tryout means that some won't make the team.

That will be more difficult waiting on than the phone call we waited on on Saturday afternoon. I was so frustrated because our internet was down--which meant our phone was out--so I couldn't forward our phone calls to my cell phone. It took me forever to remember how to check the voicemail remotely because we use the answering machine for that. So, here I was fretting. We got the phone call on Brian's cell phone while we were at the mall looking at baseball equipment. I should have known they would try the 2nd number, but you know how it is when you're waiting on something. :) Well, he's on the Dodgers. What does that mean? We aren't familiar with the coach (although we've been told he's a great coach), we don't know anyone else on the team (until practice today), there are just a lot of unknowns--except the color is blue (and everyone knows how much I "love" blue-NOT). :) ha ha!

Well, we have our first practice tonight, so I'll let you know how it goes. God has us on this team for a reason. We know it will be a great season and look forward to being able to post about it. I will keep you updated. So today, as I left the garage, I put the folding chairs and my bag with a blanket in it back in the Envoy--Looks like we'll be spending a lot of time at the ballpark. :)

UPDATE: Okay, okay. So we have what seems to be a great team, Hunter made some new friends and reconnected with some old ones, and the coaches were great. Here are a couple pics from tonight's practice. I was a good mom and stayed at the top of the hill and didn't hug the fence to get great shots--but come game time you better believe I will! So, check in often. Hopefully I will have a new camera soon, so maybe great shots even from the hill. :)

Forgiveness--for them or for you?

I just got finished reading The Shack (http://www.theshackbook.com/). Wow! It is a book about a man who has an abusive childhood and loses one of his children. He goes back to the place where his daughter was murdered and finds God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit there.

There is so much jam packed into this 246 pg, very easy to read book. Some people have argued that it is not a true description of the Trinity. I believe it is a great book, very descriptive and has so many things in it that tell you exactly who the Trinity is and why Christ had to suffer and die for us. Granted, the picture of what God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit look like may not be what I've always imagined (or been taught), but there is a reason for each of their physical appearances in the story. I believe it would be a great book of healing for those who have known God, but have blamed him for something horrible that happened in their own life or who have "fallen away" from him.

It speaks so much to how we should forgive and love and how HARD it is to truly do those things. It has great examples of how we judge others without wanting to be judged ourselves. We expect others to pay for the wrongs they have committed and be punished, yet when we harbor anger toward someone we are the ones who are being punished. Is there such a thing as "true" forgiveness? Yes, through Christ there is. Not only does it encourage you to forgive others, but it also encourages you to forgive yourself.

With that said, this is not a book that should replace the bible, nor does it quote the bible...it is a work of fiction. Read it with an open mind--open by saying that you already believe in Christ and this just puts in layman's terms what He longs for us to have in Him. He wants us to dwell with Him and allow Him to control our lives.

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper, not to harm you, to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Music is AWESOME!

I LOVE music! It is such a huge part of my life. I probably know the words to thousands of songs--some secular, some Christian. I love picking out a song that applies to a particular moment or something someone has said. So if you said "Tomorrow it's supposed to be sunny." I would start belting out "The sun'll come out...tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow...there'll be sun!" Or if you said "I'm ready to get out of here." I would start "I know you wanna leave me, but I refuse to let you go!" ha! See how fun this is! Well, some people think it's fun and some don't. I have to be careful at work because I do it ALL the time. It's just who I am. Music is awesome and I know if I didn't have music, I would find a way to make music.

So, the perfect thing for me to do is to be all by myself--not that I don't enjoy friends because I do--and turn the radio on K-LOVE (because I love the variety of songs) and spread out all my scrapbooking stuff and sit at my dining room table and sing while I scrap. I don't want anyone to come in and talk to me because that's distracting. Singing to 50 different songs, however, is not distracting. Why? Because I don't have to think. I have all these songs in my head and I sing without thinking. I don't think....I wonder if that's the right note...what comes next.....do I sound okay...I just sing!!!!!

Sometimes we need to spend time enjoying what we do. Yes, we all have laundry or dishes that we could/should be doing. I prefer to enjoy life! "This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!" Hope you are rejoicing today!

Do you have something in your life that you love to do? I would love to hear about it! Post a comment!

"Honey Do"

Yesterday I started making a "Honey Do" list. Actually typing it in the computer and adding to it as things come to mind. I've never done this before. It's always been a list in my brain (sharing space with all the other things in there) and never really being fulfilled. There's always that one, simple thing that you forget. And so, it gets put off yet again for another time.

I never realized how hard making this list would be. I just thought I could mentally go through each room in my house--forgetting that our house is bigger than any house we've ever lived in. Not a mansion to some, but pretty darn big to us! That sounded easy enough....I started with the dining room and made my list there and continued to the kitchen and so on. Well, the problem is that I would get to another room and then remember some little something in a different room. It's now become like the never-ending list! Today at work my boss mentioned something about her tub and I pulled out a post-it note from my handy pop up dispenser and scribbled a very important note on it. One to remind me to add that to my list!!!!!

I know a lot of this stems from this being our first house, but a lot of it is because I am sometimes OCD with things. I want everything to be "just so" when people come over. I am a horrible hostess because I spend so much time straightening up or loading the dishwasher instead of visiting with friends. I'm trying to be less like this and more relaxed, but I feel your house is a reflection of who you are. Although I don't really care what people think about me as far as my personality (like I'm loud or rude or whatever), I do care what they think of my house. Pretty petty, huh?

Well, I guess everyone has something that they are that way with. It could be their looks, their kids, their cars, etc. I know that whether a new light fixture is added or whether the office finally gets painted that it doesn't really matter in the long run. I just keep adding to my list and know that there will always be something that can be put on it. :)

Teenage Drivers

Teenagers, Cars and Permits--OH MY!

Do you get nervous when you see a young driver beside you? Sometimes I do. Now that I have yet my 2nd child that is learning to drive I am slightly less apprehensive, but still do not "look forward" to sitting in the passenger seat while he's driving. :)

I don't know about you, but driving was what I looked forward to as a teenager! I got my permit the day I turned 15 and my license the day I turned 16! I couldn't wait. Now, for our boys, they had several steps they had to complete before they could get their permit and license. First, they had to have good grades (A's & B's only). Driving and learning to drive take time, so they can't take time away from studies if they aren't doing well in school. Second, they had to pass the online permit test twice. Well, it's really not that hard, but we didn't want to waste our time at the DMV (and if you've been there lately you know) for them to fail the test. Third, they must continue making good grades and following our rules and the rules of the road in order to continue driving. Fourth and finally, NO driving my Envoy!!!! Driving practice can only happen in the Impala, the old hunting Jimmy or Charley's bug--which isn't running yet.

Driving is a privilege, not a right. It must be treated with respect and they were told that any disobeying of the driving rules such as talking on the cell phone or carting friends without permission would result in automatic suspension of their privilege. Talk about being tough!

Well, Charley has done well so far...and talk about proud! I think he showed everyone at church and school his permit within the first 2 days after he got it. Well, I have to admit, I'm pretty proud too. It shows they are growing up, becoming young men and learning how to work for something they want.

I pray that God will continue to show us how to mold these young men into adulthood and teach them what it means to be a man of God. It isn't always an easy or fun journey, but it is an adventure! I will take it for as long as it is given to me.

Here's a picture of Charley with his permit and also driving. Beware of the white Impala coming to a road near you! :)

T.G.I.F.

Although I do love Fridays--mainly because I know I have 2 days off with my family--I really think I should say T.G.I.A.--Thank God I'm Alive. Every day is a blessing....not just Fridays.

Some days, you wake up and it's pouring the rain, your kids are sick, you are sick, things go wrong, and you just wish you could climb back in the bed and pull the covers up over your head! That's just life! You just have to get up and press on and decide it's a good day regardless of the circumstances. Tom Hanks said "There's no crying in baseball!", that's pretty much how it is at my house. Although it is perfectly okay to show your emotions, there's no whining about how bad your life is and how someone else has it better. We run a tight ship! Just ask our boys! :)

I believe life is what you make it. Yes, you're going to have those days where everything goes wrong or things happen that you don't like. What you do on those days determines who you really are. Do you let some little thing set you off in a fit? Do you take out your frustrations on your loved ones? We can all have "one of those days", but next time it happens to you--choose to be happy anyway. See where you wind up at the end of the day. Sometimes we miss a blessing or being a blessing to someone else because we are too focused on ourselves.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

The Flu Bug!

Don't you hate bugs? I sure do! I really don't like any bugs, but the flu bug is my main nemesis right now.

Hunter came down with the flu after wrestling on Tuesday night--sorry to all the wrestler's moms. I had no idea!!! So after having a fever that night and a weird substance running out of his ears (GROSS!) I decided he needed to go to the doctor. After taking him, I realized the source of this weird ear thing was that his fever was so high it was melting his ear wax!!!! I had never heard of such a thing, but understand it happens. At 104.7 I would assume it would be pretty easy to melt wax.

The doctor almost tripped over himself to get out of the room and get liquid motrin and tylenol to hopefully bring down this fever. After Hunter had sucked them down (much to his dismay since he hates liquid medicine) I asked if he should probably take some insulin. Then they remembered that he was diabetic and we discussed how we would treat him at home for the next few days.

Well, after 2 swabs--1 of the throat and 1 up the nose, we got our diagnosis. The flu it was. So now, off to the pharmacy to get over the counter medication to try and keep the fever at bay, something to drink because he was so hot and thristy, and Lysol to try and keep the rest of us from getting this crazy bug, we went home. As I walked through the house fumigating everything that I thought he could have touched, I prayed that NONE of the rest of us would get sick. I am still praying that even today.

He's much better today---but still has lots of body aches. When I call he says he feels bad, but he is also bored. I think the worst part was him finding out that he would be missing the rest of the week of school. :)

Well, off to call and check on him again. Hopefully if you hate bugs like I do, you won't get this one!

Okay--trying this again.

It's been a while since I updated the Marcum blog. I'm not too good at this. I can update Facebook every day, but I'm just not very good at writing a lot of things that are everyday. At least on FB I only have to write a few words to update. :)

Well, here goes. A lot has gone on in our lives since the last post for sure! We purchased our first house at the end of last June. We've been married 16 years, but this is the first house we've ever owned together. It was such a wonderful process and we have been blessed to be able to do it.

Brian started his first year teaching 7th grade Geography/Social Studies. He is loving it! It was such a blessing for him to get a job right out of school. He also helps coach football and track. He never minds getting up and going to work each morning--those kids are such a blessing to him. He is looking forward to staying involved in the Men's Ministry at church now that he is able to be there.

I am still working as an Administrative Assistant. August will be 10 years at my job! I can hardly believe it. I enjoy my job and it is never boring. I am so happy to have the ability to take my boys to school each morning. That is precious time with them that I am blessed to have each day. Brian picks them up in the afternoons, so they are always with one of us. I am able to see the beautiful sunrise on the trip each morning and I am reminded of God's creativity!

Our boys are growing by leaps and bounds. It's been a wild ride, but they are such fun and bring tremendous joy to our lives!

Chris, after living here for 2 years, decided he wanted to spend his senior year at his mom's. So he moved back to Gallatin right after we moved into the new house. He comes back to visit as often as he can, but with working 2 jobs and school it's not always easy to work it out. He will graduate in May and he then plans on moving back here and attending Walters State to get a degree in computers.

Charley started his Freshman year last fall. He's doing very well and just registered for his Sophomore year yesterday. He will be taking an AP class next year and is excited about the possibility of racking up some college credits while still in high school. He plays on the football and wrestling teams and enjoys both. He plans on attending the Air Force Academy after high school. He also just got his driving permit and is ecstatic! He loves learning to drive, but stay out of his way for a little while. :)

Hunter is in 7th grade this year and really likes school. He enjoys sports and friends and is very social. He plays football and wrestling through school and is looking forward to Junior League baseball starting soon. Hunter has not decided exactly what he wants to be, but knows he wants to go to college at the University of South Carolina--so we are hoping for lots of scholarships! :)

We are blessed to be participants in a wonderful church called Manley! We have enjoyed our entire married life at this church and have some wonderful friends. They are blessings to us and God uses our Pastor to give us awesome words of wisdom. I am still involved in the choir, praise team and also help run the computer twice a month. The boys enjoy the youth department and hanging out at The Outlet!

God has so richly blessed us! How could we ask for more?

That's all for today, but should catch you up on what's been happening! :)

Love to all